Autopsy: Man died of asphyxiation

8:35 PM,
Nov. 25, 2013

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A man's death was caused by asphyxiation, city police said Monday as they asked for the public's help in what is now a homicide case.

Christopher Raymond Ortega, 35, was found dead Oct. 28 in his Coleman Avenue apartment, police said. Sgt. Dave Romick said detectives considered it a suspicious death at the time and have since consulted the state Medical Examiner's Office.

Ortega was an employee at Alan's Jewelry & Pawn in West Asheville and served as the music specialist. Owner Alan Sheppard has offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information ...